The Ecclesiastical District of New Zealand opened a group worship service (GWS) in Morrinsville, a town approximately 150 kilometers south of Auckland. Its inaugural worship service was held at 4 Ron Ladd Place, Morrinsville, New Zealand on July 5, 2024.

In the past, brethren in the town of the GWS’s namesake, including those who live in Ngatea, a small town farther away, would travel to Hamilton to attend worship services.

Brother Dennis Dahunan, district supervising minister, officiated the gathering. In his homily, he emphasized to the brethren to be devoted in worshiping God because when they are gathered to worship Him “the Lord God dwells with His people” and they can “ask for His help and protection.”

“We make it a point that we are not remiss in fulfilling Church duties, especially attending worship services,” said Albert Ocampo, a deacon of the newly established GWS.

“This is the manifestation of God’s love and mercy. Our fellow brethren now have a place of worship near them,” said Isagani Saddoy, head deacon of Hamilton Congregation from which the Morrinsville GWS sprang forth.

“The brethren will now be all the more able to continue on in their worship of God,” said Brother Khevin Villanueva, resident minister of Hamilton, to whom was also assigned the supervision of the newly established GWS. Also, this recent development served as “an opportune time to invite their friends and loved ones to listen to God’s words taught inside the Church Of Christ,” he added. — With reports from Derrick Vivas of INC News Section